Dear Ex (Chinese: 誰先愛上他的; lit. 'Who Fell in Love with Him First?') is a 2018 Taiwanese drama film directed by Mag Hsu and Hsu Chih-yen, from a screenplay by Lu Shih-yuan and Mag Hsu. It stars Roy Chiu, Hsieh Ying-xuan, Spark Chen, and Joseph Huang. It follows a teenager becoming trapped in the middle of a bitter feud between his willful mother and a free-spirited man, who is both the lover and insurance beneficiary of his recently deceased father.
| Dear Ex | |
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Film poster
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| Traditional Chinese | 誰先愛上他的 |
| Simplified Chinese | 谁先爱上他的 |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Shéi Xiān Ài Shàng Tā De |
| Directed by |
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| Screenplay by |
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| Produced by | Lu Shih-yuan |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Lin Chih-peng |
| Edited by | Lei Chen-ching |
| Music by | DJ Didilong |
Production |
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| Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Language | Mandarin |
| Budget | NT$35 million[1] |
| Box office | NT$65 million[2] |
The film had its world premiere at the 20th Far East Film Festival on 22 April 2018, and was theatrically released in Taiwan on 2 November 2018, by Warner Bros. It received generally positive reviews from critics and was selected as the Taiwanese entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[3][4][5][6] At the 55th Golden Horse Awards, it earned eight nominations, including Best Feature Film and Best Leading Actor (for Chiu), and won in three categories: Best Leading Actress (for Hsieh), Best Original Film Song (for "Bali Song"), and Best Film Editing. The film also won Best Narrative Feature, Best Actor (for Chiu), Best Actress (for Hsieh), and the Press Award at the 20th Taipei Film Awards.
When San-lian's ex-husband passes away, she discovers he has altered his insurance policy, cutting out their son in favor of a stranger named Jay. Outraged, San-lian decides that she and her son will confront Jay, but Jay proves equal to her scheme. However, when her son unexpectedly moves in with Jay, she is forced to reassess her relationship with them both.
Screenwriter Mag Hsu and music video director Hsu Chih-yen both made their respective feature directorial debutsonDear Ex.[7] The screenplay, written by Lu Shih-yuan and Mag Hsu, was based on the true story of a friend of Hsu's who found out that her husband was having an affair with a guy.[2]
Mag Hsu said about the film in a 2019 interview: "I truly believe that Dear Ex is not only an LGBT film; it involves more, all kinds of communities, a range of perspectives. This is why I feel that this film doesn't need to be labeled an LGBT film."[2]
Dear Ex had its world premiere at the 20th Far East Film Festival on 22 April 2018, where audiences praised its heartfelt storyline and snappy graphics.[7] It was screened as the opening film of the 22nd Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival on 8 November 2018, marking the first time the annual event has opened with a Taiwanese production.[8] The film was released in Taiwan on 12 November 2018, and on Netflix worldwide on 1 February 2019.[9][10]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 90% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.5/10.[11]
Karen Han of The New York Times called Dear Ex "a remarkably affecting and cogent picture" and remarked, "At points, the film threatens to tip over into melodrama, but the directors Mag Hsu and Hsu Chih-yen always right the ship, balancing oversaturated flashbacks with a nuanced portrait of love that endures both trials and time."[12] Andrew Lapin of NPR opined, "The film may pale in comparison to The Cakemaker, which told its story with more nuance and sensory detail. But Dear Ex's narrative hiccups and tonal missteps seem less blaring by the time it enters its affecting homestretch […]. Love in this movie is expressed in odd ways, but it is still genuine."[13] Wendy Ide of Screen Daily wrote, "This comic melodrama wrings every last drop of drama from the set up" and "The music choices and the production design compete for knowing kitsch, but there is nothing ironic about the emotional impact of the third act."[14] Joel Keller of Decider stated, "Dear Ex has good performances and a story that should be relatable to anyone who has gone through family problems as a kid."[15] Stephen McCarty of the South China Morning Post commented, "Dear Ex proves to be a work of redemption, reconciliation and forgiveness […]. And at its heart, it's a love story: nothing odd about that."[16]
| Award | Category | Recipients | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd International Film Festival & Awards Macao | Best Film | Dear Ex | Nominated |
| Mi Ying Spirit Movie Award | Nominated | ||
| 20th Taipei Film Awards | Best Feature Film | Won | |
| Best Leading Actor | Roy Chiu | Won | |
| Best Leading Actress | Hsieh Ying-xuan | Won | |
| Press Award | Dear Ex | Won | |
| 55th Golden Horse Awards | Best Feature Film | Nominated | |
| Best Leading Actor | Roy Chiu | Nominated | |
| Best Leading Actress | Hsieh Ying-xuan | Won | |
| Best New Performer | Joseph Huang | Nominated | |
| Best New Director | Mag Hsu and Hsu Chih-yen | Nominated | |
| Best Original Screenplay | Lu Shih-yuan and Mag Hsu | Nominated | |
| Best Original Film Song | Lee Ying-hung (Bali Song) | Won | |
| Best Film Editing | Lei Cheng-ching | Won | |
| 10th To Ten Chinese Films Festival | Outstanding Film | Dear Ex | Won |
| Best Leading Actor | Roy Chiu | Nominated | |
| Best Leading Actress | Hsieh Ying-xuan | Nominated | |
| 19th Chinese Film Media Awards | Best Leading Actor | Roy Chiu | Nominated |
| Best Leading Actress | Hsieh Ying-xuan | Nominated | |
| Best New Director | Mag Hsu and Hsu Chih-yen | Nominated |
